The
Boycott Is Working

The bus boycott continues.
Slowly but surely the bus company begins to lose money  75 percent
of its riders are black and all have joined the boycott. Nevertheless, the
company doesn't change its segregation policies. Executives are convinced
that the protesters  who are mostly poor and supporting large families
 can't afford to miss work and will be back on the buses soon.

To
their surprise and dismay, as days turn into weeks, Montgomery's African
Americans adjust to finding other means of transportation.

Eventually the bus
company is forced to cut back on the number of buses serving the city.
It also raises the price of a ride from ten to fifteen cents. Because
the protesters are now shopping closer to home, the white owners of downtown
shops are starting to lose money. Angry and frustrated, some of the white
people of Montgomery begin to harass and
threaten anyone involved with the boycott. The protesters stay calm, resist
using violence, and continue to follow the guidance of their leader, Dr.
King. They will fight this battle using nonviolent tactics
no matter how much they are provoked.

QUESTIONS FOR ROSA PARKS
Learn how the boycotters managed to stay strong and unified in the face
of violence. Read how Rosa Parks remained
strong and committed to her community's cause.